Jantjies's Stormers move 'on'

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Cape Town - The Stormers are still the favourites to snatch Bok flyhalf Elton Jantjies's signature for next year’s Super Rugby, even though he has spoken to four franchises about his future.

According to the supersport.com website, while the Lions didn’t make the predicted announcement of where he will head for Super Rugby, he will make a decision after returning from the Springboks next week and with a move to Cape Town almost a certainty, a decision is expected then.

But whatever he decides, Jantjies, because of the way his contract is structured, will not need permission from the Lions, but rather just to tell them where he has chosen.

Jantjies has spoken to the Bulls, Kings, Sharks and Stormers, but it is known the Stormers have made a massive offer for his services and one which he simply can’t refuse, according to those close to him.

“Elton has got a clause in his contract, which has been well written in the media, that he can play Super Rugby at another province. The speculation whether it is Western Province or not is not for me to say. I’m not entering into a labour agreement with Province because he has that clause. So they’re speaking to him alone. Elton has spoken to the Kings, WP, Sharks and Bulls and it is not up to me to say where he is going,” acting Lions CEO Ruben Moggee said.

When it comes to Jaco Taute however, the player is apparently still weighing up the options of where he wants to play in the backline, and will choose a Super Rugby team accordingly.

While Taute will back himself for a run in whichever position he chooses, the opportunities at 13 and 15 differ between the Stormers and Sharks, where he is apparently weighing up his options.

Lionel Mapoe’s move to the Bulls is likely to be finalised next week as well.

Moggee said it is a sensitive process which has to take many factors into account.

“It is an ongoing process, for the simple reason that when we finalise our schedule, it is the players’ prerogative to decide where he wants to play. Where one needs to be realistic as well, other franchises have signed players and have young players who aspire to play Super Rugby.

“If you’re going to block them, then it will be detrimental to them as well. We’re looking still at four or five players on loan, but we need to handle it sensitively.”

Part of the loan agreements are that the players need to get ample game time, need to be managed properly and return to the Lions two weeks before their promotion-relegation match.

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